Justin Verlander and Clay Buchholz face off in Boston as the Tigers and Red Sox finish their series. Verlander’s road ERA is two runs higher than at home, although he’s pitched very well on the road if you look at his opposition batting stats. He has, however, allowed a .316 BA with runners in scoring position away from Detroit. Buchholz has only allowed one of his six home runs at Fenway this season, but gives up more hits in his home park for a slightly higher ERA than when he’s on the road.

The Yankees and Rays play the rubber game of their series, with Tampa Bay trying to pull to one game behind New York. CC Sabathia takes on James Shields. Sabathia comes off two excellent months in which he posted a 2.25 ERA in 11 starts and won nine of those games. He only allowed two home run in 80 innings in that stretch. Shields slumped during the same stretch, giving up 11 home runs in 60 2/3 innings, a rate of 36.3 per 200 innings. That led to a 6.23 ERA.

The West coast features three outstanding matchups. First, Cliff Lee and Jered Weaver collide in Anaheim. In four starts for Texas, Lee took his control up a notch, walking one batter while striking out 25 in 35 1/3 innings of work. Weaver faced Texas three times this season and allowed a 5.09 ERA, giving up four home runs in 17 2/3 innings.

NL ERA leader Josh Johnson battles veteran Jon Garland in San Diego. Johnson is only making his second start at PETCO Park, but he pitched five shutout innings there in 2007. Josh allowed a 1.35 ERA in July, but only went 2-0 in the month as Marlins bullpen or offense let him down. Garland continues to trade walks for hits when he pitches in San Diego, as he knows the lack of long balls will keep the damage done by the base on balls to a minimum.

Finally, the Giants go for a sweep of the Dodgers, hoping to bury them 6 1/2 games back in the NL Wild Card race. The Dodgers give the ball to Clayton Kershaw as he challenges Matt Cain. Kershaw’s done an excellent job of shutting the Giants down this season as he allowed five runs (three earned) in 13 innings, but walked away with no decisions. Since his poor start going into the All-Star break, Cain allowed just five runs in 22 innings, walking seven and striking out 18. All five runs scored on three homers.

Enjoy!